Selecting a major can be confusing and overwhelming with so many options available.

Should you have a minor or maybe a double major? Some students feel pressured and choose a major without much thought. However, the process of choosing your major takes time and your choice should not be made without awareness and understanding.

Steps to Choosing Your Major: A Guided Process

To help you make an informed decision, the Advising Success Center has assembled a toolbox that guides you through four steps:

Step 1: Self-Examine

Evaluate your abilities, interests, values and personality to understand which areas of study best suit you.

  • Career Services
    Located in Decker Hall 202, Career Services offers assessments and workshops for undecided students or those considering changing their major. Measure your interests, abilities, values and personality through assessment instruments such as DISCOVER, Self Directed Search (SDS) and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). Career Services also provides one-on-one appointments to interpret your assessment results as well as the Choosing a Major workshop designed for undecided students or those considering changing their major.
  • StrengthsQuest
    Developed by the Gallup Organization, StrengthsQuest uses StrengthsFinder assessment to assess your innate top five talents and offers online resources to assist student in using their talents in career exploration. All students who enroll in First Year Experience Seminar will participate in StrengthsQuest and be given the opportunity to meet with a career counselor to interpret the results.
  • Self Assessments
    Assess your goals, interests, abilities and values personally.

Step 2: Explore

Gather information about majors and occupations that align with your self-examination findings.

  • Bemidji State University Catalog
    Read through the descriptions of each area of interest.
  • Career Outlooks by Major
    Provided by Career Services, Career Outlooks by Major will allow you to gather information such as Major Highlights, Projected Demand, Placement, Employers and Job Titles for each area of study at Bemidji State University.
  • Occupational Outlook Handbook
    Search by occupation or job title to gather information about training and qualification required to enter into a specified field.

Step 3: Focus

Narrow down your options to majors and careers that genuinely interest you.

  • Interview Worksheet
    Use this sheet to guide you through interviews of students, faculty and/or professionals in the areas that you have identified as possible majors of study.
  • Job Shadow Experience Worksheet
    Use this sheet to guide you through a valuable job shadow experience with a professional in an area a possible area of study.

Step 4: Implement

Combine the information from steps 1 through 3 and make your decision.

  • Student Data Form
    When you are ready to declare a major you will need to complete the Academic Program section of the Student Data Form and turn this form into the Records Office to process the change.
  • Advisor Change Form
    You will also need to change your advisor to a faculty member from the department of your major and turn this form into the Advising Success Center.